TOP 10 Things To Avoid If You Have Osteoporosis

It is well known that there are two key nutrients we need for strong and healthy bones: calcium and vitamin D. Calcium supports your bones while vitamin D improves calcium absorption and bone growth. Similarly important, but less often discussed, is what we should not consume. There are certain foods that take away from bone health. Since we can’t feel osteoporosis, it’s not that easy to imagine that something we eat can be harmful for the bones. However, for stronger bones we have to avoid some everyday osteoporosis diet dangers. Besides excluding the following foods and drinks from your diet, be sure to consume enough calcium and vitamin D rich foods and supplement if necessary.

10. Foods with Oxalates

Spinach, beet greens, Swiss chard are all super healthy, packed with healthy nutrients, but they just shouldn’t be counted as sources of calcium. The reason behind this is that they contain oxalates, which can bind up the calcium and make it unavailable to the body. To enjoy the health benefits of these leafy greens a good idea is to consume them with foods that contain calcium readily absorbed by the body. Spinach with cheese is not only delicious but also good for your body.

9. Beans (Legumes)

While beans are one of the healthiest foods on the planet – packed with fiber, nutrients, magnesium and calcium as well – they also have a high phytate content. This unique natural substance impairs the absorption of iron, zinc and calcium, and may promote mineral deficiencies. All edible seeds, grains, legumes and nuts contain phytates in varying quantities. When you eat high-phytate foods with most of your meals, mineral deficiencies may develop over time but in well balanced diets this is rarely a concern. You can reduce the phytate level by soaking beans in water for several hours and then cooking them in fresh water.

8. Soy Products

Similarly to spinach and Swiss chard, soy also contains oxalates. Oxalates are plant compounds that may hamper calcium absorption. While soy products – tofu, tempeh, edamame – are rich in protein that helps building bones, they can also bind up calcium and make it unavailable to the body.

7. Bleached Flour

Natural wheat is not white but manufacturers use chemicals such as chlorine dioxide or benzoyl peroxide to bleach it. Besides this, the production of white flour involves stripping away of the most nutritional aspects of the grain: the germ and the bran. So at the end of the process the flour is devoid of the fiber and the milling process further removes the most nutritious parts of the wheat berry. Try to avoid white flour products and stick to whole wheat, sprouted bread or millet bread instead.

5. Cured Meats

All meats are acidifying so you should make sure to consume them in moderation and in balance with alkalizing foods. Processed meats or cold cuts – including deli meats, bacon, hot dogs – are the most acidifying of all animal proteins. They are also packed with preservatives such as sodium nitrite. Nitrates are converted to nitrites during digestion than form nitrosamines. Nitrosamines are extremely acidifying and carcinogenic.

4. Processed Sugar

We all know that sugar has many bad affects on the body. Sugar depletes the bones of key nutrients, specifically calcium, magnesium, and copper. It is so acidifying that it causes the body to take calcium from the bones and excrete it through urine. Try to avoid sugary snacks and satisfy your sweet tooth with healthful alternatives that support bone health such as prunes, cranberries, and other fruits rich in antioxidants.

3. Caffeine

Studies have shown that high amount of caffeine intake might lead to lower bone density in women. The reason why excessive amounts of caffeine may have a negative impact on bone density is explained with the fact that caffeine increases the rate of calcium loss through the urine. And when caffeine combined with sugar, it has particularly detrimental effects on bone health. To follow an osteoporosis-prevention diet, drink decaf coffees and limit consumption of sugary foods that contain caffeine, such as chocolate and cola.

2. Sodas

Sodas are not only full of sugar but they also contain a high amount of phosphoric acid. It is a food additive that prevents calcium and magnesium from being absorbed in your body. Carbonated soft drinks can reduce bone mineral density and they can also increase the risk of fracture. Instead of drinking sodas on a regular basis, try calcium-laden beverages that bolster bones such as milk, yogurt-based drinks or calcium and vitamin D fortified orange juice.

1. Salty and High-Sodium Foods

Studies show that salt causes excessive calcium excretion through the kidneys leading to weakening bones with time. That means, that the more salty foods we eat, the more bone-strengthening calcium we lose. Through processed foods and condiments we get about twice as much sodium as we should. There are several ways to reduce the amount of salt we consume. Obviously one option is to cook without added salt, but avoiding processed foods (fast foods, breakfast cereals etc.) is even more important as processed foods supply 75% of the sodium we eat.